Supervision

What is Coaching Supervision?

“Coaching supervision is a formal and protected time for facilitating a coach’s in-depth reflection on their practice with a Coaching Supervisor. Supervision offers a confidential framework within a collaborative working relationship in which the practice, tasks, process and challenges of the coaching work can be explored. The primary aim of supervision is to enable the coach to gain in ethical competency, confidence and creativity so as to ensure best possible service to the coaching client, both coachees and coaching sponsors. Supervision is not a ‘policing’ role, but rather a trusting and collegial professional relationship.”

Association for Coaching (2018)

Supervision has always been an essential component of my professional practice. I have continuously engaged with skilled clinicians and peers, all of whom have played a key role in my personal and professional self-development – I am grateful to them all.

“Acting as a supervisor is a demanding and sometimes complex job. This is why it is imperative that the supervisor is an experienced practitioner in their own right, understands the nature of supervision and has had first hand experience of being supervised.”

Coaching Supervision, (2008) Peter Blucker

 

With decades of experience and formal training with the Centre for Coaching I offer supervision to coaches, with a special interest in somatic coaches. Guided by Hawkins & Shohet’s Seven-Eyed Process Model of Supervision I am curious about the coach’s own place in the system and how they experiences themselves in that role; the interventions they use; the relationship they have with their coachees. I walk the talk of self-reflective practice and require my supervisees to do the same. I am especially rewarded by the parallel process which unfolds, leading to insight and development for both me as supervisor and my supervisee. It is indeed an
honour and a pleasure to accompany someone on their own professional journey, and I give tribute to my own as I continue the tradition.

Some other pertinent quotes from the Association for Coaching:

“Reflection can be defined as ‘the in-depth consideration of events, situations, words and actions in order to achieve a deeper and clearer understanding of them and how you view yourself through them.”
Iordanou, Hawley, & Iordanou (2017 pp. 94)

“Reflective practice is the ability to step away from your work and identify patterns, habits, strengths and limitations in your work and/or within the system you work in and is the foundation of supervision.”
Turner, Lucas & Whitaker (2018, pp. 25)

Reflecting helps you consider what you have done, how you and your client behaved, what the outcomes were, how you might have handled things differently.

“Coaching supervision is a formal process of professional support, which ensures continuing development of the coach and the
effectiveness of his/her coaching practice through interactive reflection interpretative evaluation, and the sharing of expertise.” Bachkirova, Stevens & Willis (2005)

“Coaching supervision is a collaborative process facilitating coaches (and coach supervisors) to grow their reflective practice with a view to continuous improvement and professional development, client safety and the strengthening of professional identity. The process considers the entire system surrounding the supervisee and their client work and seeks to bring value to all those stakeholders connected to that work.”
Clutterbuck, Whitaker & Lucas (2016)